DILI, East Timor: About 40 prisoners escaped from a jail in East Timor on
Saturday, officials said, adding to security concerns in the tiny nation as
it prepares for elections following political turmoil and violence last
year.

Among those who broke out from the prison in the capital, Dili, were
people arrested during the unrest in May that killed at least 30 people and
led to the downfall of the prime minister, said prison guard Januario de
Oliveira.

He said some of the other fugitives were arrested more recently for
deadly gang fights that a U.N.-led peacekeeping force, deployed after last
year's violence, has struggled to contain.

De Oliveira said police were hunting for around 40 escapees.

Minister of Justice Domingos Samento confirmed the breakout, but was not
able to say how many inmates fled or how they escaped.